CHINA. Hupeh. Tael, Year 30 (1904). NGC AU-53. L&M-180; K-933; KM-Y-128.2; WS-0878; Sun-1-2-06. Small Characters variety. An attractive nicely preserved example of this ever popular type exhibiting a bold strike with good definition of the fine details. The surfaces display lovely pervasive dove gray patina with hints of sunset hued iridescence in the peripherals. A very pleasing survivor with good eye appeal far nicer looking than an identically graded example we sold in our August Hong Kong 2019 auction Lot # 51149 which hammered down at an impressive $24,000 plus buyer fee.A wholesome piece certain to garner much attention from collectors seeking good looking examples.Originally 648,000 Hupeh Taels were minted, this includes both large and small character types; however, it is unknown exactly how many of each were struck. The Hupeh Tael was introduced as part of a projected coinage reform based on the traditional Chinese weight standard, rather than the Dollar system. In the initial proposal to produce these coins, it was also suggested to produce smaller denominations in the values of 1, 2, and 5 Mace. However, no such pieces have surfaced (even in pattern form) and it is unlikely they were ever produced. The general populace found it complicated in converting two distinctly different coinage systems, especially when making change.A Hupeh Tael housed in the British museum supports this by showing evidence of cutting to make change. The British museum specimen is essentially mint state with a large pie shape section cut from the coin. The cut is in a similar manner to the "broken dollars" picture on pg. 121 figure 4.10 of Joe Cribbs reference Money in the Bank. This short lived series circulated for only a brief period and was soon after replaced by the unified Tai Ching Ti Kuo silver coinage. Although the Hupeh Tael coinage has a fairly large mintage, most were likely melted down to be made into later coinage. It is interesting to note that the Hupeh Taels were struck in 0.877 fine silver, as opposed to the 0.960 fine silver set forth by the currency regulations of 1905.Ancient Chinese coins - Qing Dynasty - Guangxu silver coin